James roche



No ModeL) J. ROCHE. PERMITTATION LOCK.

Patented Feb. 25, 1896.

UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFicE.

JAMES ROCHE, OF TERRYVILLE, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE EAGliE LOCK COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

PERM UTATlON-LOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 555,336, dated February 25, 1896.

Application filed June 3, 1895. Serial No. 551,551. N model-i To all whmn it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JAMES ROCHE, of Terryville, in the county of Litchfield and State of Connecticut, have invented a new Improvement in Permutation-Locks and I do hereby declare the following, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and the letters of reference marked thereon, to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same,and which said drawings constitute part of this specification, and represent, in

Figure 1, a view in front elevation of a lock constructed in accordance with my invention and applied to a post-office-box front; Fig. 2, a view thereof in inside elevation; Fig. 3, a broken view in inside elevation "showing the permutation mechanism with the inner tumbler and the arm thereof removed; Fig. 4, a view in transverse section on the irregular line a Z) of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrow at; Fig. 5, a partial section on the line a (Z of Fig. 2 and looking in the direction of the arrow 0; Fig. 6, a detached view in inside elevation of the dial; Fig. 7, a corresponding view of the friction-spring; Fig. 8, a similar view of the rim of the outer tumbler; Fig. 0, a similar view of the star-shaped center of the said tumbler; Fig. 10, a similar view of the inner tumbler; Fig. 11, a detached perspective view of the knob; Fig. 12, a detached plan view of the coupling-arm; Figs. 13 and ll, detached perspective views of the lock and latch bolts, respectively.

My invention relates to an improvement in permutation or letter locks, the object being to produce a simple and reliable lock, having a wide range of difierentiation in its combinations, and constructed with particular reference to convenience of operation, in so far that any mistake in manipulation may be seen at a glance upon the face of the dial and the error corrected without beginning over again.

XVith these ends in view my invention consists in a permutation-lock having certain details of construction and combinations of parts, as will be hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.

For convenience of illustration I have shown my invention as applied to the front of a post-office box, the said front comprising a frame A and a door A. It will be apparent, however, that my lock is not limited to such use, but may be employed in any situation where available.

In carrying out my invention as herein shown I employ a knurled knob B, provided with an index-finger B,and rotatable in either direction for sweeping the said finger over the outer face of an independently-rotatable dial C, furnished with an outwardly-projecting operating-pin C located near its edge, and having its outer face virtually divided into a circular series of corresponding radial compartments, each of which contains a different letter. If desired, these letters may be replaced by characters, though I prefer to employ letters, as being the most convenient. An index-mark A formed in the door A, comes close to the edge of the dial, which is turned to bring any one of its letters into registration with the said mark. For the reception of the dial the door A is constructed with a circular opening A corresponding to the dial in size and permitting the same to be set into it so that the outer face of the dial will be practically flush with the outer face of the door.

The dial rests upon a large sheet-metal f riction-spring D, which in turn rests upon the outer face of a plate E, secured by rivets e to the back of the door A over the opening A aforesaid. This friction spring is proportioned in size and adapted in tension to develop enough friction between it and the dial to prevent the same from rotating except when moved in one direction or the other by its operating-pin C, the dial remaining at rest while the knob B and index-finger B are turned in either direction. The said dial is constructed with a central inwardly-projecting hollow hub 0 receiving and centering the friction-spring D, which is constructed, as shown in Fig. '7, with a central opening D to adapt it to fit over the hub. The said hub also receives the star-shaped center F of the inner Wheel-tumbler, which also comprises a rim F, having its outer periphery notched and its inner periphery cut to conform to the points of the star-shaped center F. The said center F is also constructed with two oppositely-arranged inwardly-projecting lugs f f, which take into correspondingly-located notches c 0, formed in the said hub 0 whereby the said center, and hence the inner wheeltumbler, is coupled for rotation therewith,and hence with the dial. The rim F of the tumbler is constructed with a clearance-notch f, to be further spoken of later on. It will be readily understood that by pushing the center F out of the rim F the two parts may be reunited in different relative positions, the range of combination thus made available being limited only by the number of points formed upon the outer periphery of the center and cuts formed upon the inner periphery of the rim. The outer face of the said two-part outer tumbler bears upon the inner face of the plate E, through which the hub C projects. Upon the inner face of the said tumbler I locate an inner wheel-tumbler G, which has a notched periphery, a circular series of holes G, a central opening G and a clearance notch G corresponding to the notch F of the outer wheel-tumbler. The said tumblers are free to rotate independently of each other except so far as they are coupled together by the friction developed between their surfaces in contact. The outer tumbler is, however, as has been described, positively coupled with the dial, while the inner tumbler is positively coupled wit-h the knob B by means of an arm H, provided at its outer end with a screw H, the projecting end of which enters one of the holes G in the tumbler, while the inner end of the arm has an oblong straight-sided opening H adapting it to fit over the faced inner end B of the stem B of the knob B, the arm being secured to the knob by means of a screw H which enters a threaded counter-bore B entering the stem B and extending into the knob, as shown in Fig. 4. The said stem, it will be noted, passes through the hub C of the dial, through the plate E, through the central opening D of the friction-spring D, and through the central openings of both of the tumblers. The inner tumbler thus positively connected with the knob B through the arm G, secured to the stem E thereof, may be shifted in its relation to the knob and the index-finger 13 thereof within the range of change made available by the number of holes G. It will thus be seen that between the changes afforded by the holes G of the inner tumbler G and the points of the star-shaped center F of the outer tumbler the lock may be set in a very great variety of combinations.

Inasmuch as the friction between the dial and friction-spring is very much greater than the friction developed between the two tumblers, the inner tumbler may be turned freely in one direction or the other by the knob without disturbing the dial. It is different, however, when the dial is turned, for then the friction between the outer tumbler, which is positively connected with the dial, and the inner tumbler will always be suflicient to cause the two tumblers to revolve together.

As herein shown, the clearance-notch f of the outer tumbler and the corresponding notch G of the inner tumbler receive, when brought into registration in right position, the tail I of a locking-bolt I,which is mounted for reciprocation in two posts J J, the former of which is secured to and the latter of which is formed integral with the plate E, and both proj ecting inwardly therefrom. The said lockingbolt is furnished with a coupling-pin I and constructed with a notch 1 which receives the upper end of a crank-arm K, secured by a pin 7; to the squared inner end of the operating button or handle K, mounted in the door A, near the outer edge thereof. The coupling-pin I of the locking-bolt enters a notch L, formed in the inner edge of the latchbolt L, also mounted for reciprocation in the posts J and J and having its outer end constructed with a beveled nose L adapted to engage with a strike-plate L extending inward from the frame A of the box-front, as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 4. A spring M, mounted upon a stud M, engages at one end with the post J and at the other end with the latch-bolt, which it exerts a constant effort to throw into its outwardly-proj ected or locked position. The latch-bolt is also constructed with a finger-piece L adapting it to be operated against the tension of the sprin M, by hand, for throwing the bolt from the inside of the door, independent of the action of the crank-arm K and the operating knob or handle K. In this connection I will statethat I do not limit myself to the particular locking mechanism which I have shown and described in connection with my improved combination mechanism, as it is obvious that the said looking mechanism might be changed or replaced by a variety of other devices equivalent in this situation. 1

Having now described my invention, I will proceed to briefly set forth the mode of its operation.

Let it be assumed that the permutation mechanism has been set so that the notch f of the outer tumbler and the notch G of the inner tumbler will be registered with each other and in line with the tail I of the locking-bolt when the letter B on the dial stands opposite the index-mark A and when the index-finger of the knob is over the letter S on the dial, as shown in Fig. 1. To unlock the lock,when so set, it is only necessaryto rotate the knob until its index-linger is brought over the letter S on the dial and to rotate the dial until the letter B upon it is brought into line with the index-mark A In the operation of the lock the dial and index-finger always serve as independent indicators to denote when the clearance-notches of the tumblers register with each other and are in right position to receive the tail of the locking-bolt. In rotating the knob the dial will remain at rest, because the friction between the two tumblers is not suflicient to overcome the friction of the friction-spring D; but in rotating the dial both tumblers will ICC rotate together, inasmuch as the friction between the outer tumbler, which is positively coupled with the dial, is sufficient to overcome the inertia of the inner tumbler and the knob which then rotates with it. In case a mistake has been made in manipulating either the kn ob or the dial it will be apparent at a glance where the mistake has been made, and either the knob or dial may be shifted to bring it into right position without disturbing the part which is set right. In this respect my improved lock is much more convenient than the ordinary permutation-lock in which a dial is turned in one direction a certain number of times to a certain point and then in the opposite direction a certain number of times to a certain point. If any mistake is made in these manipulations, the whole operation must be gone over again, as there is nothing to indicate to the operator where the mistake lies. It will be understood, of course, that any operation of the knob or handle K when the notches f and G are not registered and in line with the tail I" of the locking-bolt will simply impinge the said tail against the periphery of one or both tumblers, which will prevent a sufficient movement of the lockingbolt to retract the latch-bolt from engagement with the strike-plate If.

In view of the changes suggested and of others which may obviously be made I would have it understood that I do not limit myself to the construction and arrangement of parts herein shown and described, but hold myself at liberty to make such changes and alterations as fairly fall within the spirit and scope of my invention. Thus I may replace the index-finger by a small dial, and instead of having a friction-spring develop friction against the dial I may arrange a spring to develop friction against the knob, so as to cause the same to move with greater resistance than the tumblers upon each other.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure byLetters Patent, is-

1. In a permutation-lock, the combination with two wheel-tumblers having frictional bearing on each other, of two indicators respectively connected with the said tumblers and adapted to be operated independently of each other, and a friction-spring engaging with one of the said indicators, and developing greater resistance to the'movement of the same than is developed between the two tu n1- blers which rotate together except when the indicator engaging with the said frictionspring is operated, substantially as described.

2. In a permutation-lock, the combination with two wheel-tumblers having frictional bearing on each other, of two indicators respectively connected with the tumblers, and adapted to be operated independently of each other, one of the said indicators being in the form of a dial adapted to be engaged for operation at one side of its center so as to clear the other indicator which passes through its center; and a friction-spring engaging with the said dial and developing greater resistance to the movement of the same than is developed between the two tumblers which rotate together except when the dial is operated, substantially as described.

3. In a permutation-lock, the combination with two toothed wheel-tumblers having frictional bearing on each other, of a rotatable dial coupled for rotation with one of the said wheel tumblers and having a central opening, a rotatable knob passing through the central opening of the dial, coupled for rotation with the other wheel-tumbler, and provided with an index located in the plane of the dial and lying close to the same, the said knob and dial being adapted to be rotated independently of each other, and afriction-spring engaged with the dial and developing greater resistance to the rotation of the same than is developed between the two tumblers, substantially as described, and whereby when the dial is rotated both tumblers are rotated together, While when the knob is rotated, the dial and the turnbler coupled therewith remain at rest, substantially as described.

In a permutation-lock, the combination with two toothed wheel-tumblers having frictional bearing upon each other, of a rotatable dial with which one of the tumblers is coupled for rotation, and which has a central opening and is provided at a point one side of its center with an outwardly-projecting operating-pin by means of which it is rotated, a knob passing through the said opening in the dial, having the other tumbler connected with it, and provided with an index located in the plane of the dial and close to the same and short enough in length to clear the said pin, the said knob and dial being adapted to be rotated independently of each other, and a friction-spring interposed between the dial and the tumbler coupled therewith and developing greater resistance to the rotation of the dial than is developed between the two tumblers, substantially as described, and whereby when the dial is rotated both tumblers are rotated together, while when the knob is rotated the dial and the tumbler coupled therewith remain at rest.

5. In a permutation-lock, the combination with a rotatable dial having a central opening, of a knob passing through the said opening and provided with an index located in the plane of the dial, close to the same, and coacting with the characters upon the outer face thereof, the said knob and dial being rotatable independent of each other, a toothed outer wheel-tumbler located behind the dial and coupled for rotation therewith, a toothed in ner wheel-tumbler having frictional bearing upon the outer wheel-tumbler, an arm connected with the projecting inner end of the knob and adj ustably connected with the inner wheel-tumbler, a friction-spring interposed between the dial and the outer tumbler, and developing greater resistance to the rotation of the dial than is developed between the two tumblers; and a bolt mechanism inelnclinga In testimony whereof I have signed this bolt coacting with the peripheries of the tumspecification in the presence of two subscribblers which hold it in its locked position and ing witnesses.

also coacting with clearance notches in the JAMES ROCHE. said peripheries which permit it to be thrown Vitnesses:

into its unlocked position, substantially as OTIS B. HOUGH,

described. ERNEST E. BALDWIN. 

